Supplementary feed device for internal-combustion engines



July 4, 1950 D. E. ANDERSON 2,513,774

SUPPLEMENTARY FEED DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 20,1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jar 3177B? DAVID E A/vomso/v.

July 4, 1950 D. E. ANDERSON 2,513,774

SUPPLEMENTARY FEED DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 20,1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JFJVEJJY'EZP DAVID E. ANDERSON.

Patented July 4, 1950 SUPPLEMENTARY FEED DEVICE FOR.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES David E. Anderson, Cleveland, Ohio, assignorto Thompson Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application June 20, 1946, Serial No. 678,089

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to simplified inexpensive apparatus for theaccurate metering of supplementary fluids to the intake of an internalcombustion engine in accordance with operating characteristics of theengine. Specifically the invention relates to an injector device forfeeding controlled amounts of coolant or antiknock fluids to the mainfuel intake of an internal combustion engine only at periods when theengine would otherwise be subject to detonation.

The feed devices of the present invention are simplified for massproduction but at the same time operate very efficiently to maintain theaccuracies of more expensive devices. While the feeding of detonationsuppressing liquids to the fuel intakes of internal combustion enginesis known, the heretofore known feed devices were not only expensivelymade but were deficient in many respects. Since engine detonation varieswith the quality of main fuel being burned in the engine and only occursduring certain operating conditions of the engine as influenced by thethrottle setting and degree of intake suction, it is desirable to feedjust enough antidetonant material to the engine at just the right timeto eliminate detonation. The metering of the antidetonant can becontrolled by the intake suction but this control alone is notsufficient to account for variation in quality of fuel being burned inthe engine. The present invention provides a replaceable fixed orificearrangement that can be quickly changed upon changing in quality of fuelsupplied to the engine. At the same time this replaceable feature doesnot increase the cost of the device.

Since most detonation suppressing liquids are immiscible with the mainfuel, such as gasoline, burned by an engine, it is desirable to feed aspray or jet of the antidetonant into the atomized gasoline to insure agood intermingling of the two liquids. If the detonation suppressingliquid has a fuel value, the jet or spray should contain suflicient airto insure thorough combustion and utilization of this fuel value. Thedevice of the present invention therefore includes a vent tube whichsupplies suflicient air to the antidetonant for feeding a spray or jetin metered quantities to the atomized gasoline supplied by thecarburetor of the engine. This vent tube is closed by the vacuumcontrolled metering valve of the device whenever antidetonant is notbeing delivered by the device. This arrangement prevents feeding of airto the main fuel during the inoperative periods of the feed device sothat the carburetor setting for the main fuel will not be influenced andthe carburetor can furnish the correct amount of air for thoroughcombustion of the main fuel.

The devices of this invention are equipped with a multi-part casingincluding a main casing body having an integral flange on one sidethereof for easy attachment to a mounting block or flange unit that isinserted between the carburetor and intake manifold of an engine. Thismounting flange of the main casing contains passageways for feeding theantidetonant spray or jet to the intake manifold as well as for ventingthe metering valve actuating diaphragm to the vacuum in the intakemanifold. The main casing removably carries an inlet boss receivingantidetonant from a suitable supply source. A screen or filter isclamped between this boss and the main casing. An inexpensive stampedcup is secured on the bottom of the main casing and defines a floatchamber receiving antidetonant from the inlet boss. This cup has anaperture in the bottom thereof receiving a tubular fitting therethrough.This tubular fitting carries the air vent tube and the replaceable jetorifice feeding the air vent tube. The metering valve for the device isslidably mounted in the main body of the casing and controls dischargeout of the air vent tube into the passageway through the mountingflange. A cover or lid is secured on top of the main casing and themetering valve diaphragm is clamped between this cover and the maincasing.

It is then an object of this invention to provide a device for supplyingantidetonant material in proper metered quantities and at proper timesto the fuel intake of an internal combustion engine.

A further object of this invention is to provide an inexpensivesupplementary fuel injector for internal combustion engines simplifiedfor mass production without sacrificing operating emciency.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a supplementaryfeed injector for internal combustion engines which meters antidetonantmaterial or the like to the fuel intake of the engine under theinfluence of intake'mani- I a supplemental fuel injector for attachmentto the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine and having anair vent tube between a replaceable fixed jet and a metering valve forsupplying a jet of antidetonant to the engine as controlled by thevalve.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a detonation suppressorunit arranged to meter an aerated jet of antidetonant to the engine inaccordance with the vacuum in the intake manifold of the engine andarranged to seal both the air feed and the antidetonant feed from theen- .gine whenever intake vacuum increases beyond a predetermined point.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following detailed description of theannexed sheets of drawings which, by way of a preferred example only,illustrates one embodiment of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of a supplementary feeddevice according to this invention mounted on a mounting block or flangeunit interposed between the carburetor and the intake manifold of aninternal combustion engine.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of a replaceable fixed orifice unit forthe device of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view, with parts in hori zontal cross section, ofthe assembly of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view takensubstantially alon the broken line IV--IV of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view, takenslbstantially along the broken line V-V of Fig. 3.

As shown on the drawings:

The device I of this invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is mounted on aflange unit or mounting block II interposed between the discharge outletof a carburetor C and the inlet of an engine intake manifold M. Theflange unit or mounting block II has a flat mounting face Ila positionedlaterally of the carburetor and intake manifold as shown in Fig. 3. AVenturi nozzle I2 is carried by the flange or block I I and projectsdownstream in the unit I I so that suction in the intake manifold M willdraw fluid through the tube. The tube projects beyond the flat face Ilaof the block II as shown in Fig. l.

The device I0 includes a main body casing I3, a top cover I4, a stampedmetal bottom cup casing I and an inlet boss casing I6. The main body I3has a mounting flange I'I extending laterally from one side thereof andhaving a flat face IIa mating with the face I la of the mountin blockII. Bolts I8 connect the flange I! to the mounting block.

A well I9 is formed in the top of the body I3 and has a centralupstanding boss 20 therein. A cylindrical bore 2I extends inwardly fromthe top of the boss into the body I3 to terminate at a flat shoulder 22in spaced relation above the bottom face of the body.

A valve assembly is slidably mounted in the bore M and includes a rod 23slidably engaging the bore and having a reduced end portion 23a with aflange or collar 23b and a pointed needle valve end 230. A sealingwasher 24 is interposed between the flange 23b and the large end of thepointed portion 230. The washer 24 coacts with the shoulder 22. Anorifice opening or bore 25 of lesser diameter than the bore 2| receivesthe pointed end 230.

A washer 26 is seated on top of the rod 23 and receives a springretainer 21 thereon. A flexible diaphragm 28 having its peripheralportion clamped between the body casing I3 and the cover I4 by means ofbolts 29 extending through the cover and threaded into the body casingI3 has a portion overlying the central portion. A washer 30 overliesthis central portion of the diaphragm 28 and a cap screw 3| is passedthrough the washer 30, the diaphragm 28, the retainer 21- and the washer26 into threaded engagement in the rod 23. The screw 3I clamps thediaphragm between the retainer 21 and washer 30. A coiled spring 32surrounds the boss or lug 20 and is compressed between the bottom wallof the well I9 and the retainer 21. The spring thereby acts on theassembly to lift the rod 23 out of the lug 20 thereby unseating thesealing washer 24.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, the main body casing I3 has bores 33extending from the bottom of the well I9 through the mounting flange I1for mating with at least one bore 34 through the mounting block II.These bores provide a passageway venting the interior of the well I9under the diaphragm 28 to vacuum existing in the intake manifold M. Thisvacuum tends to draw the diaphragm 28 into the well I9 for opposing thespring to seat the sealing washer 24 on the shoulder 22.

The casing I3 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 also has a tap hole 35 normallycolsed by' a plug (not shown) communicating with the Well I9. This taphole can receive a fitting to connect the well with the intake manifoldof an engine in the event that the arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 5 isnot convenient.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the main body casing I3 has a laterallyextending boss portion 36 on the side thereof opposite the mountingflange I1. This boss has a flat side face 36a with an annular groove 31therein. The top portion of the groove has a horizontal bore 38extending therefrom into the casing to a vertical bore 39 openingthrough the bottom face of the casing. A valve housin plug 40 isthreaded into the bore 39 and has an orifice 4I therein providing anoutlet for the bore.

The flat face 36a of the boss receives a gasket 42 thereagainst and aflat screen 43 is bottomed on this gasket ring and is clamped betweenthe inlet fitting I6 and the end face 36a by a screw 44 extendingthrough the fitting I6 and threaded into the casing. This single screw44 sealingly attaches the inlet fitting I6 to the casing I3 and at thesame time sealingly clamps the filter screen 43 in position. An inlettube 45 from a source (not shown) of antidetonant supplies the interiorof the fitting with antidetonant liquid and this liquid is filteredthrough the screen 43 into the groove 31 from which it flows through thebores 38 and 39 to the inlet orifice 4|. The filter 43 is readilyremoved for cleaning and replacement by release of the screw 44 from thecasing. The

groove 31 provides a relatively large collection area for the filteredantidetonant and any fine material that does pass through the screen 43will be collected in the bottom of the groove which acts as a sump. Thegroove can be cleaned with the filter.

The valve housing 40 slidably supports a valve member 46 with a pointedneedle-like end 46a controlling flow through the orifice 4! A bracket4'! depends from the bottom of the casing I3 into the interior of thechamber 48 provided by the cup casing i5. This bracket carries a pin 49on which is pivoted an arm 50 secured to an annular float 58. The arm 50engages the bottom of the valve member 46 to cause the valve to rise andfall with the float thereby controlling the inlet orifice 4| inaccordance with the level of liquid in the float chamber 48.

The main casing l3 has a lug 52 depending from the bottom face thereofinto the central portion of the float chamber 48. A bore 53 extendsupwardly through this lug 52 into the casing l3 in axially alignedrelation with the bore 2i. The bore 53 terminates at a shoulder 54beneath the shoulder 22. The orifice passage 25 connects the bore 2|with the bore 53.

The cup casing I5 is secured to the main casing by screws such as S andhas a sump defining portion l5a with an aperture 55 through the bottomthereof. A mounting plate 56 rests on the bottom of the cup casing l 5around the mouth of the sump and overlies the sump. Perforations 51 areprovided in the plate.

A tubular fitting 58 projects into the bore 53 and an O ring sealingwasher 59 is interposed between the end of the fitting and the shoulder54. The fitting 58 projects through the plate 56 and aperture 55 and hasa collar or flange 60 supported on the plate 56. The lower end portion58a of the fitting 58 is exteriorly threaded and receives a nut 6| inthreaded engagement thereon. The nut thrusts through a sealing washer 62against the bottom of the sump l5a to draw the fitting tightly againstthe supporting plate 56 thereby clamping the fitting in position.

The interior of the lower end portion 58a of the fitting 58 is alsothreaded and receives an orifice member 63 in threaded engagement. Thisorifice member 63 as shown in Fig. 2 has external threads therearoundengaging the internal threads of the fitting 58 and defines a fixedorifice hole 63a in the axial center of its end face. Screw driver slots63b are provided in the member so that it can readily be inserted andremoved from the tube 58 through the open bottom of the tube withoutdisrupting the tube mounting. A closure plug 64 is threaded into thebottom end of the tubular fitting 58 and a sealing washer 65 on the plugseals the bottom of the tubular fitting.

Ports 66 are provided in the tubular fitting 58 communicating with thesump beneath the apertured mounting plate 56. Fluid in the float chamber48 thus flows by gravity through themorts 66 and through the orifice 63aas shown by the arrows in Fig. 1.

An air tube 68 fits freely in the fitting 58 and is bottomed on theorifice member 63. Packing material 69 surrounds the lower end of thetube and is compressed into sealed engagement between the tube andfitting when the orifice member 63 is threaded home. The upper end ofthe tube 68 has snug fitting engagement with a reduced neck portion ofthe tubular member 58. A passageway ID is thereby provided around thetube 68 intermediate the ends of the tube. Ports H are formed throughthe tube 68 at spaced levels below the fluid level maintained in thefloat bowl. These ports H join the passageway 10 with the interior ofthe tube. The fitting 58 has an annular groove 12 therearound within thebore 53 and ports I3 extend radially inward from this groove intocommunication with. the. passageway 10. A second 0 ring seal 14 isseated in a groove around the fitting 58 to sealingly engagethe bore 53beneath the groove 12. The 0 rings 59 and 14 cooperate to preventleakage along the fitting from the groove l2.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the groove 12 registers with a bore l5 in themain body l3 and this bore 15 extends to a threaded well 06 that canreceive a tube for venting the bore to the air filter for the enginecarburetor or to any other source of ambient air.

The interior of the tube 68 is thus vented to the atmosphere through theports H, passageway IU, ports 13, grooves 12 and bore 15.

As also shown in Fig. 4 the main body casting I3 has bores ll thereinventing the float chamber 48 to the atmosphere.

As shown in Fig. l a bore 13 extends through the flange portion H andmain body i3 to register with the bottom end or inner end of the bore2!. This bore 19 receives the outer end of the Venturi nozzle l2 thereinand provides a passageway for feeding antidetonant to the nozzle l2.

Operation Antidetonant such as a 50% mixture of water and alcohol is fedby gravity or by a pump through the tube 45 to the inlet fitting IS. Theliquid is filtered through the screen 43 and flows through the bores 38and 39 to the inlet orifice 4| through which it is admitted under theinfluence of the valve 46 to the fioat chamber 48. The float 5|maintains a predetermined level of antidetcnant in the float chamber 48.The antidetonant in the float chamber 48 flows through the apertures 51in the plate 56 and through the ports 66 in the fitting 58 to theorifice 63a. of the replaceable orifice unit 63. The liquid then risesinto the tube 68 and passageway E6 to the same level as exists in thefloat chamber 68. This condition obtains when the engine is stopped andin such event the spring 32 is effective to lift the rod 23 to unseatthe sealing washer 24 and to move the pointed meterin valve 23c out ofthe orifice 25. The upper end of the tube 68 is thereupon in fullcommunication with the bore '19 and nozzle 12.

During the cranking operation for starting the engine not enough vacuumis created to lift antidetonant from the float chamber into the engineand then as soon as the engine starts sufiicient vacuum is created inthe intake manifold to depress the diaphragm and close the valve.Therefore no antidetcnant is fed during part throttle operation of theengine.

When the engine throttle is from A; to full open position the intakevacuum is lowered sufficiently to allow the spring to open the valve. Assoon as the valve is opened an encircled mixture of antidetonat from thetube 68 and passageway I6 is fed to the engine. After this liquid hasbeen exhausted from the passageway and tube, a normal mixture of liquidand air is fed.

In the wide open position of the metering valve, antidetonant and airwill be drawn into into the nozzle [2. rnanifold increases sufficientlyto cause the dia- 7 l the intake manifold at a. rate determined by theorifice 63a and the size and position of ports H. feeding the engine theorifice 83a should be relatively large. If high grade main fuels arebeing used the orifice 63a. can be smaller. The orifice member 63 istherefore readily replaceable to compensate for variations in thequality of main fuel being fed to the engine. H

Since air as well as liquid fuel is drawn in :the tube 68. the tubebreaks up the liquid into an aerated jet which is fed to the intakemanifold and easily mixes with the aerated gasoline. The air in theaerated jet of antidetonant is sufiicient for thorough combustion of theantidetonant.

As vacuum builds up in the intake manifold the diaphragm 28, vented tothe intake vacuum through the passageways 33 and 34 is drawn into thewell I9 to compress the spring 32 and move the metering valve towardclosed position. The needle valve end 230 will thereupon becomeeffective to meter controlled amounts of the Jet When vacuum in theintake phragm 28 to move the sealing washer 24 against the shoulder 22,feed of the aerated antidetonant jet is stopped and the intake manifoldis sealed against feed of either air or antidetonant material from thedevice 10. The sealing of the air feed supply through the device I!)eliminates heretofore encountered difficulties of interference withcarburetor setting during those periods when antidetonant was not beingfed.

The feed device ID of this invention therefore functions to supply firstan enriched aerated jet of antidetonant to the engine followedimmediately by a, leaner aerated jet due to the emptying of the -airtube 68 and the exposing of more air holes H and next followed by acontrolled metering of the leaner jet. Finally, when the detpnatingpoint of operation of the engine has been passed the vacuum in theengine is sufiicient to close oif automatically the feed of bothantidetonant and air to the intake manifold from the device In.

The orifice member 63 is readily replaced by mere removal of the plug 64and unscrewing of the member out of the tubular fitting 58. Themulti-casing parts of the device include inexpensive castings orforgings and stampings, the parts are readily assembled and replaced andthe unit is adapted for inexpensive mass production while at the sametime it is capable of accurate efiicient operation.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of constructionmay be varied through a wide range without departing from the principlesof this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit thepatent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

, 1. An auxiliary fiuid'feed device for the fuel intake of an internalcombustion engine comprising a main casing body having a' mountingflange on one side thereof, a block unit arranged to be inserted betweenthe carburetor and intake manifold of an engine and having a laterallyprojecting mounting boss, means connecting the mounting flange of saidcasing to said boss, said main casing having a wellin the top thereofwith an upstanding central lug and a lug depending from the bottom facethereof, aligned top and bottom bores extending through said lugs If lowgrade main fuels are being used for I into spaced opposed relation inthe body, said body having an orifice passageway connecting said bores.a valve assembly slidable in the top bore controlling fiow through saidorifice, a cup casing secured to the bottom face of the body anddefining a float chamber, an upstanding tubular fitting projecting intosaid bottom bore of the main casing and extending through the bottom ofthe cup casing, said tubular fitting having a replaceable orifice memberthreaded therein and accessible for replacement from outside of the cupcasing, an air tube in said tubular fitting, passageways venting theinterior of the air tube to the atmosphere, an inletin said main casing,a float controlled valve slidable in said main casing regulating flowfrom said inlet to the float chamber of said, cup casing, the maincasing having a passageway therethrough and through the flange thereofcommunicating with said intake manifold for connecting the top bore withthe intake manifold, a cover on said main casing, a diaphragm interposedbetween said cover and said main casing for covering said well, meansconnecting the central portion of said diaphragm with said valve forco-movement, a spring acting on said valve to urge the same to openposition, and a passageway in said main casing vented to vacuum in theintake manifold for evacuating the well to draw the diaphragm thereinfor closing said valve.

2. A. supplementary feed device for internal combustion enginescomprising a main casing body having a laterally extending mountingflange and upstanding lugs on the top and bottom faces thereof, top andbottom bores extending through said lugs in spaced opposed relation inthe body of said casing, an orifice passageway connecting said bores,said main casing having a laterally extending passageway connecting thetop bore through the mounting flange, a valve slidably mounted in thetop bore, a tubular fitting seated in the bottom bore and projectingtherefrom, a cup casing defininga float chamber around the tubularfitting and secured to the bottom of the main casing, means venting the1 interior of the tubular fitting to the atmosphere,

municating with the float chamber, a valve for regulating flow throughsaid inlet, a diaphragm bridging the top of the main casing andconnected to the valve slidable in the top bore of the casing forcomovement therewith, means for venting one side of the diaphragm to asource of suction for depressing the diaphragm to close the valve, andspring means acting on the valve to urge the valve toward open positionwhereby said device meters an aerated jet of fluid under the influenceof vacuum in the intake of an internal combustion engine at ratesdetermined by a replaceable orifice.

3. A supplementary fiuid feed device for internal combustion enginescomprising a casing having a bottom fioat chamber, a tubular fittingremovably disposed in said casing and depending through the bottom ofsaid float chamber and having an internally threaded lower end portion,a vent tube disposed in the bore of said tubular fitting and spaced fromthe inner walls thereof defining a vent chamber, an externally threadedorifice defining unit removably inserted in said tubular fitting againstthe lower end of said vent and ports supplying antldetonant materialfrom the float chamber to said oriflce whereby said orifice is readilyreplaceable from outside of said casing without removal of additionaloperating 4. A fluid feed device for the main iuel intake of an internalcombustion engine which comprises'a casing having afloat chamberdefining portion at the bottom thereof with a localized bottom sumphaving an aperture therethrough, a mounting plate resting on'the bottomof said casing portion, a tubular fitting extending through saidmounting plate, said'sump and said aperture and having a shoulderbottomed on said plate, a nut threaded on the projecting portion of saidfitting and bottomed on said casing portion, said tubular member havingan internally threaded end. an orlflceunit removably threaded in saidend, a plug member closing the bottom end 01' said tubular unit, andsaid 10 mounting plate and tubular unit having ports therethrough forfeeding fluid from the chamber to said orlflce unit, said orifice unitbeing replaceable by removal or said plug and unscrewing the unit fromthe bottom end of the tubular member.

DAVID E. ANDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file oithis patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'EN'I'S Number Name Date 1,601,437 Gustafson et al.Sept. 28, 1926 1,915,852 Ericson June 27, 1933 1,990,702 Leibing Feb.12, 1995 2,186,480 Ensign Jan. 9, 1940 2,321,211 Johnson June 8, 19432,441,301 Waag et al May 11, 1948

